Gee Gully Expedition June 4- June 14th 2013

Gee Gully is a lone southern tributary of the mighty Fitzroy River, intersecting near Mt Anderson in the West Kimberley. What is unique about it is that it originates in a spring on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert, one that flows according to the phases of the Moon.

This is a unique camel trek offered for the first time, as we follow the Gully for 4 days to its origin, spend 3 days at the spring and then return. The lead cameleers will be Bo and Canny Watson, sons of the lawman/bushman Harry Watson and other members of their family. It is mostly walking and riding for 4-5 hours a day, which will require a moderate level of fitness from participants as we move through a variety of different terrains.

The name Great Sandy Desert is a misnomer as it is mostly stone and low brush, with little actual sand! Nevertheless, it is an environment of harsh beauty

Along the way, we offer meditations, healing practices and ceremony for tuning into the spirit of the Gully and the surrounding country. It includes day adventures at the sit-down camp, a day of silence to take in the stillness of the desert and opportunities to take in traditional practices of tracking and hunting, gathering bush tucker and general exploring.

We are especially excited about this trip as we’ve been wanting to do it for many years now!

A spiritual journey with Daniel Sowelu, Lorraine Lee and members of the Nyikina/Mangala people of the West Kimberley

Typical Program:

Subject to changes due to weather conditions and ceremonial obligations.Night before departure, pre-trek orientation and meal in Broome.

Day 1: Bus from Broome to Jarlmadangah Aboriginal community for opening rituals and overnight stay.Days 2-4: Slow walking and riding with camels along the mighty Fitzroy River, camping with swags.Days 5-7: Stationary camp for rest and reflexion, a day of silence and day trips for exploration.Days 8-10: Return trek through the Grant Ranges to final night at Jarlmadangah. Evening celebrations.Day 11: Final circle, goodbyes and return bus to Broome. Evening post-trek meal and celebration in Broome.

As we will be operating largely under Aboriginal time the program will be open to change accordingly, once we are on our trek. The pace will be slow and cruisy, around 10-15 kms a day and camels will be available for riding. All participants will be asked to contribute to the day to day running of the camp, which allows things to operate smoothly and adds to our sense of community.

Group Leaders & Guides:

Bo and Canny Watson and family are of the Nyikina Mangala people and are traditional owners of part of the West Kimberley. Teachers of aboriginal culture, spirituality and history, and of traditional survival skills, they lead camel tours of the Fitzroy River, Mt Anderson and Grant Ranges areas. We are greatly honoured to have Bo and Canny and their family as guides on this trek, and to be able to walk their traditional country.

Lorraine Lee is a multi-skilled healer, whose home has been the Kimberley for the past 35 years. Lorraine’s spiritual path has taken her on journeys all over the world, including India and Uzbekistan. She has participated in meditation camps and retreats in nature and deep silence with the Sufi Order International in Switzerland.

Daniel Sowelu (B.Sc, Dip. Ed) Daniel’s love for the land comes from early childhood, giving him an acute sensitivity to sacred places, enhanced by 20 years of meditational practices and numerous journeys through Australia and India. His leadership is supported by 28 years of private practice as a counsellor, Primal therapist, group leader and therapeutic astrologer. He has been running bush retreats, often in conjunction with aboriginal elders, since 1992.

Cost: Approximately $3500-$4000 Actual costs will be released shortly.

ex Broome, includes all transport (excluding airfares) accommodation, food (predominantly vegetarian with fish and bush tucker when available), camels and cameleers, swag and mosquito dome.Limited to only 16 individuals so pay your deposit now to ensure you reserve your spot on this very special trek.

A $600 deposit is to be paid with your registration, unless alternative arrangements are made, with the balance due May 2013.

Please note - deposit is non-refundable within six weeks of the event, less a $50 administration fee for cancellations before that. There is a full refund should the event be cancelled. If you withdraw from the tour for any reason, once that tour has commenced, no part of the tour fee shall be refunded, unless otherwise negotiated.